ElectricalElectrical Safety Safety
You Will Learn About
Hazards of Electricity Isolating Circuits Testing Circuits Work on Energized Equipment Portable Electrical Tools Electrical PPE Work Area Safety Electrical Systems
Electrical Safety
Special Training is required for work on electrical equipment
Only Authorized Employees may conduct electrical work
Special Training
This Training for Authorized Employees covers:Safe Work Practices Isolation of Electrical Sources Test Equipment Tools & PPE
Hazards
Electrical Hazards Include Electrical Shock Electrical Explosions Electrical Burns
These can result in severe injury or death
Safe Work Practices
Before Starting Work De-energize, lock, tag and test all circuits of 50
volts or more De-energize all power sources Disconnect from all electric energy sources
Control circuit devices such as:– push buttons – selector switches – interlocks
May NOT be used as the sole means for de-energizing circuits or equipment.
Locks and Tags
Lock and Tag All Sources Place Lock and Tag on each
disconnecting means used to de-energize circuits
Attach lock so as to prevent operating the disconnecting means
Place tag with each lock
If a Lock Cannot be Applied
A tag used without a lock must be supplemented by at least one additional safety measure that provides a level of safety equal to that of a lock.
Examples: Removal of an isolating circuit
element such as a fuse Blocking of a controlling switch Opening of an extra disconnecting
device
Release Stored Energy
Stored electric energy must be released before starting work. Short-circuit and ground all high
capacitance elements Discharge all capacitors
Is it “Dead”?
Verify System is De-energized Operate the equipment controls to check that equipment cannot be restarted Use test equipment to test the circuits
and electrical parts for voltage and current
Check Your Tester
Check test equipment (Volt-Ohm Meter) on a known live source of same rating to ensure it works before and after checking the circuit on which you will be working.
Re-energizing Equipment
Conduct tests and visual inspections to ensure all tools, electrical jumpers, shorts, grounds, and other such devices have been removed
Warn others to stay clear of circuits and equipment. Each lock and tag must be removed by the person who applied it Visually check that all employees are clear of
the circuits and equipment.
Working With Energized Parts
Persons working on energized equipment must be familiar with the proper use of special precautionary techniques, personal protective equipment, insulating and shielding materials, and insulated tools.
Working on Energized Circuits
Isolate the area from all traffic Post signs and barricades Use an attendant if necessary Use insulated tools, mats and sheeting Use electrical rubber sheeting to cover
nearby exposed circuits
Conductive Materials
Conductive materials and equipment must be handled in a manner to prevent them from contacting exposed energized conductors or circuit parts
Conductive Apparel
Remove all conductive articles of jewelry and clothing, such a watch bands, bracelets, rings, key chains, necklaces, metalized aprons, cloth with conductive thread, or metal headgear.
Portable Electric Tools
Handling Portable equipment shall be handled in a
manner which will not cause damage. Flexible electric cords connected to equipment
may not be used for raising or lowering the equipment.
Flexible cords may not be fastened with staples or otherwise hung in such a fashion as could damage the outer jacket or insulation.
Visually Inspect
Portable cord and plug connected equipment and flexible cord sets (extension cords) shall be visually inspected before use on any shift for external defects: Loose parts Deformed or missing pins Damage to outer jacket or insulation Evidence of possible internal damage
Remove from Service
If there is a defect or evidence of damage to any electrical tools or equipment Immediately notify your supervisor Remove the item from service Tell your co-workers
Attachment Plugs
Connecting Attachment Plugs Ensure hand, cords and
receptacles are dry when plugging and unplugging flexible cords and cord and plug connected equipment, if energized equipment is involved.
Ladders
Portable ladders must have
non-conductive side rails if
they are used where a,workers
or the ladder could contact
exposed energized parts.
Keep all ladder parts
at least 10 feet away from
overhead power lines.
Test Instruments
Test instruments, equipment and test leads, cables, power cords, probes, and connectors must be visually inspected for external defects and damage before the equipment is used.
Remove any defective items from service.
Instrument Ratings
Test instruments and equipment and accessories must be: Rated for the circuits and equipment to
which they will be connected Designed for the environment in which
they will be used
Personal Protective Equipment
Employees working in areas where there are potential electrical hazards must use electrical protective equipment that is appropriate for the work to be performed.
More on PPE
Use, store and maintain your electrical PPE in a safe, reliable condition.
Wear nonconductive head protection wherever there is a danger of head injury from electric shock or burns due to contact with exposed energized parts.
Wear protective equipment for the eyes or face wherever there is danger of injury to the eyes or face from electric arcs or flashes or from flying objects resulting from electrical explosion.
PPE Inspection
Electrical PPE with any of the following defects may not be used: A hole, tear, puncture, or cut Ozone cutting or ozone checking (the
cutting action produced by ozone on rubber under mechanical stress into a series of interlacing cracks)
PPE Inspection
Electrical PPE with any of the following defects may not be used:
Texture changes: Swelling, softening, hardening, or becoming sticky or inelastic
An embedded foreign object Any other defect that damages the insulating
properties
Don’t use Defective Electrical PPE!
PPE Testing
Rubber insulating line hose – Upon indication that insulating value is suspect
Rubber insulating covers – Upon indication that insulating value is suspect
Rubber insulating blankets – Before first issue and every 12 months
Rubber insulating gloves – Before first issue and every 6 months
Rubber insulating sleeves – Before first issue and every 12 months
Tools and Equipment
Ropes and handlines used near exposed energized parts must be nonconductive.
Use insulated tools or handling equipment when working near exposed energized conductors or circuit parts.
Use fuse handling equipment to remove or install fuses when the fuse terminals are energized.
Work Area Safety
You must be able to see what you are doing when working on energized equipment. Do not work on energized electrical parts
• Without adequate illumination • If there is an obstruction that prevents
seeing your work area • If you must reach blindly into areas
which may contain energized parts
Alerting Others
Use barricades to prevent or limit access to work areas with un-insulated energized conductors or circuit parts.
If signs and barricades do not provide sufficient warning and protection from electrical hazards, an attendant shall be stationed to warn and protect employees.
Use safety signs, safety symbols, or accident prevention tags to warn others about electrical hazards which may endanger them.
Conductive Work Locations
Portable electric equipment & flexible cords used in highly conductive work locations where employees are likely to contact water or conductive liquids, must be rated for the wet environment.
Electrical Systems
Interlocks Only a qualified person may defeat an
electrical safety interlock, and then only temporarily while he or she is working on the equipment.
The interlock system shall be returned to its operable condition when this work is completed.
Electrical Systems
Re-closing circuits after protective device operation
After a circuit is de-energized by a circuit protective device, the circuit protective device, the circuit may not be manually reenergized until it has been determined that the equipment and circuit can be safely energized. The repetitive manual re-closing of circuit breakers or reenergizing circuits through replaced fuses is prohibited.
Over-Current Protection
Overcurrent Protection Modification
Over-current protection of circuits and conductors may not be modified, even on a temporary basis.
System Markings
Electrical equipment may not be used unless the manufacturer's name, trademark, or other descriptive marking is placed on the equipment.
Other markings shall be provided giving voltage, current, wattage, or other ratings as necessary.
Circuit ID
Identification of disconnecting means and circuits
Each disconnecting means for motors and appliances shall be legibly marked to indicate its purpose.
Each service, feeder, and branch circuit, at its disconnecting means or overcurrent device, must be legibly marked to indicate its purpose.
It Is Your Job
Know the hazards of electricity Know the equipment Use safe work practices Inspect your PPE before each use Don’t work on energized circuits without
permission